Chelsea are keen on signing Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, according to The Athletic.
Rogers enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Villa, helping them win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League.
The Blues also want a player who is a ready-made starter and accustomed to a hectic schedule, further underlining their interest in the Villa star.
They have already held talks with his representatives, but face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United.
Paris Saint-Germain are also considering a move for Rogers and would be encouraged by his willingness to play abroad. However, they need to offload a player before making a move.
Villa have placed a £90 million valuation on the England international and are already exploring the market for his replacement.
Rogers’ involvement with England at the World Cup may not hinder a deal. Manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that players are free to complete transfers, provided they do not impact match preparation.
Chelsea’s failure to qualify for the Champions League may affect their pursuit of Rogers, both in terms of the player’s desire to join and the financial cost of completing a deal.
If a deal goes through, it would send a message that they are still an attractive destination for top players, despite not qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition.